king in the depths of the countryside. When the Count de Charolais and Diane de Beautreillis pass on a hunt they fail to recognize Jean. Sire Malicorne (a comic character) has also been sent from court to find and drag back the missing son-in-law. The Baron Beautreillis, another comic role, the duke’s minister, uses the presence of the king's envoy to advance his own interests, while Saladin, a friend of Count Charolais is angry with Jean for stealing his riding-crop. In the second act, at the court of Philippe le Bon, Isolin leads the festivities. Diane presents Arlette, who pleases the old duke and has managed to reconcile him with his son. Arlette sings a florid fabliau. Saladin lays a trap for Arlette to seduce her and destroy her good favour when she tries to meet Jean. Jean appears just as Saladin lays in wait for her and the two draw swords. Jean later accuses Arlette of having an assignation with Saladin and admits that he has killed him. Denounced and revealed as his real self by Simone, when Charolais condemns him, Malicorne intervenes that the king has already sentenced Jean for rebellion. At this Charolais frees Jean and asks him to command the Burgundian troops against the king. For the third act it is daybreak on the Montlhéry plain with the battle in the distance. Arlette is looking for Jean, while Charolais, injured, says that he was rescued from a fatal ambush by an unknown soldier (who we know was Jean). Then Jean enters, pale, and without his arms: before the flag of France he had lost his courage. However, Arlette comes to him and tells him that Simone is still, along with Malicorne, plotting to ruin him. Jean does not listen to her, but then Charolais returns having parleyed with the king who has pardoned Jean, who decides that rather than face the French forces again, he will go away, but with Arlette. References Sources Decé, H., Review: "Théâtre Lyrique Municipal de la Gaité: Jean de Nivelle", Le théâtre Vol. 1908/II, No. 239, 1908, pp. 18–22 Forbes, Elizabeth, "Talazac, Jean-Alexandre" in L. Macy (ed.), The Grove Book of Opera Singers, Oxford University Press US, 2008, p. 483. Pottinger, Mark A., Review: Léo Delibes, Jean de Nivelle: Dossier de presse parisienne (1880), Music and Letters Vol. 89, No. 3, 2008, pp. 434–435 Operas Operas by Léo Delibes Opéras comiques